| PROJECT NAME: |
United States Post
Office and Courthouse |
|
| PROJECT LOCATION: |
San Antonio, Texas |
PROJECT DATES: |
1985-1992 |
| PROJECT COST: |
$7.7 million |
PROJECT OWNER: |
General Services Administration
|
| REFERENCE: |
Joan Giffin
Denver Federal Center Building, #44
Denver, Colorado 80225-0546
303/236-7613 |
|
 PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The United States Post Office
and Courthouse in San Antonio, Texas, is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and as a City of San
Antonio Landmark building which faces the Alamo Plaza
directly adjacent to the Alamo. This project was a major
remodel of a historic courthouse which included the
restoration of the main lobby and revolving doors, courtroom
construction, new offices for the FBI and other GSA tenants,
and repairing and upgrading of all mechanical, electrical
and plumbing systems. The building was completely protected
by the installation of a sprinkler system.
The work on this building was accomplished
in coordination with the Texas Historical Commission Section
106 Review. All work had to be accomplished without
disruption of the existing federal agencies occupying the
building. The building contains several important
courtrooms, which had to remain operational during the
construction process. The extended contract for construction
was drawn out in such a manner as to allow sequential
remodeling and restoration of different areas of the
building, so that as some offices vacated their old quarters
and moved into renovated areas, new areas were able to be
rehabilitated.
The goal was to rehabilitate the main
circulation and lobby spaces of the Post Office and
Courthouse building to approximate their original
appearance. Areas which would require major remodeling to
accommodate their new uses (such as the FBI space) were
rehabilitated to meet these requirements without a
substantially negative impact on the historic nature of the
building.
Special requirements for this project
included an historic structures report; review of original
drawings and upgrading of as-found drawings; special
communication equipment; security equipment; elevator
repair/replacement; restoration of marble and painted
surfaces; refinishing of wood; duplication of historic
materials and techniques; and converting older, vacant Post
Office space for use as modern office spaces and support
activities, such as a cafeteria. |